-LRB- CNN -RRB- Two million illnesses . 23,000 deaths . According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , that 's the human toll from antibiotic-resistant `` superbugs '' each year in the United States .

To fight the growing problem of infections that ca n't be treated , the administration of President Barack Obama is implementing a five-year national action plan at a cost of $ 1.2 billion . Those funds , part of the President 's 2015 budget , which must still be approved by Congress , would nearly double the amount of federal money allocated to the fight .

The plan calls for creating a `` one-health '' approach to testing and reporting superbugs around the country , as well as establishing a DNA database of resistant bacteria .

New , rapid tests to detect emerging resistant bacteria will be developed .

Research for new antibiotics and vaccines will accelerate . The plan calls for two new options for people , and three for animals , by 2020 .

Global surveillance and cooperation is also stressed , including a global database for animals .

A key goal is to slow the growth and spread of superbugs by reducing the use of antibiotics when they are n't needed . The plan calls for a 50 % reduction in inappropriate antibiotic use in doctor 's offices and a 20 % reduction in hospital use by 2020 .

`` This is a lofty goal , '' said internist and Emory Associate Professor Dr. Sandra Fryhofer . `` It 's important for both patients and professionals to be on board . ''

There are still details to work out . `` Who determines what 's appropriate ? '' asked Atlanta pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu . `` Are we going to have a checklist of requirements that have to be met ? I think it might be a bit tough to measure , but I think improvement can definitely happen . ''

A recent survey of 796 health care professionals found 63 % of the sample prescribed antibiotics when they were n't absolutely necessary , at least 10 % of the time . A top reason : the patient requested it .

`` Some patients put a lot of pressure on doctors to give them an antibiotic , and they may think they 're not getting good care if they 're not given one . But that 's just not true , '' said Fryhofer . `` It 's become like an insurance policy but it 's an insurance policy that does n't give good dividends . ''

`` I do find there is a lot of education that has to go on with patients that might expect antibiotics when their child is sick , '' said Shu , `` but I think in recent years I have seen more of an awareness , and many of my patients are more hesitant to ask . ''

Another part of the plan pledges to eliminate the widespread use of antibiotics to boost the growth of animals raised for food . It will also phase in oversight by veterinarians for other uses of antibiotics in feed and water . While applauding the spirit of the pledge , critics say the limits are still too voluntary and limited in scope .

`` The problem we have with the plan is that it only removes the growth claims from the label , '' said senior analyst Steve Roach at Keep Antibiotics Working . `` What we hoped for in the plan was a commitment from FDA to identify which antibiotic uses other than growth promotion need to be changed . ''

`` With 80 % of the antibiotics produced in the United States being used in agriculture mostly for prevention , '' said Louise Slaughter , D-New York , who has an alternate proposal in front of Congress , `` any meaningful solution to the looming antibiotic resistance crisis must begin with limits on the farm . Trusting a voluntary policy that lets industry police itself will not bring about real change . ''

@highlight

Antibiotic resistance is a pressing public health issue , CDC says

@highlight

Plan would nearly double the amount of federal monies allocated to the fight

@highlight

Patient use of unnecessary antibiotics will be curtailed